Happy New Year!

We brought in the New Year at Laurie and Ron's house this year. Laurie and I realized that we have been friends for almost 25 years - even though we may not see each other but a couple of times a year, every time we get together it is like we are back in high school again! We had a great time eating, drinking, and shooting fireworks with family and friends.

Happy New Year, everyone!!!!

Tommy stuffing his face

Monty the snake

Danielle and Robert

Kimber and Justin

Dave enjoying a chicken wing

Laurie, Juan, and Mona

Tori, Henry, and Harley

Mitchell performing some wheelchair tricks

Tommy and Jamie putting on the show

Tyler performing with the conch shell

Ron (aka Powder)

Me and Laurie having a big time

Jamie and me - a New Year's kiss

Jamie, me and Laurie

. . . and the party's over!

Merry Christmas to All!

Christmas is finally here! The boys woke up bright and early (for them) at 7 and couldn't wait to see their loot. Tyler finally got his long awaited Wii and Tommy got his Rock Band for the Xbox. After discovering their gifts left by Santa, Tommy cooked us breakfast on his new griddle. Jamie and I then took a nap and we opened presents at lunch time. It is nice to settle in at home for a while! We had a wonderful Christmas with all of our family and hope that everyone else did, too!

Tommy and Tyler trying not to peek while Jamie and I get up

Tommy gives Bobo a bone

Casey likes her new bone

Emily gets some new kitty treats

Tyler likes his new game from Grandpa Bill

Tyler pretends to play his trumpet ornament

Tyler gets a new Halo action figure from Tommy

Thanks, Grandpa Bill!

A new alarm clock - hooray!

A cell phone ornament

Pretty new earrings for mom

A nice new shirt for Dad to wear to work

My own personal Rock Band

Merry Christmas from Lexington!!!!

Christmas in Barnwell

Today was the last of our Christmas road trips. Jamie and I were off to Barnwell to celebrate with his dad. The boys spent the night there last night with Michael and Stacy, so we actually got a little respite in the midst of all of the celebrations and trips. It was nice to have a night of quiet and rest! We had a great time in Barnwell with everyone - there is always such a mountain of presents as you can see from the pictures below. It is chaos as everyone is opening all at once - I always wait to open mine until at least the kids are done so that I can get some good pictures of them opening. We also feasted on Brown's barbecue from Kingstree. It is a vinegar and pepper recipe - my favortie and my mom's favorite, too.

O Christmas tree

One side of the mountain

Is Papa J under there somewhere?

Liam with Transformers

Liam with a space robot

Tyler with a Ripstik

Tommy with his new man cologne

Tommy with a new car wash kit

Wendy with a log deer head for Jerry

Father and sons with air compressors

Me with my new library of books

Jamie with a new USC koozie

Mama Rhette with her new mink

Jerry and Cyndi

Monty and Paula

Don and Wendy

Ryan and Shannon

Tyler tries out his new Ripstik

Tommy gives it a shot

Liam, Michael, and Stacy

Tommy drives us home

Merry Christmas from Barnwell!!!